Windows 10: Do I need this partition?

Hi All,
I bought my computer a few years ago with Windows 7 preinstalled.
The drive was partitioned into "C" and a small recovery partition "E".
I did a clean install of Windows 10.
Do I still need the "E" partition???
Is it some sort of boot drive?
The recovery folder is empty.



Here's a closer look at the "E" drive




:)

 

I have Norton 360, so do I still need this Windows Defender to be on?

After the Anniversary Update, Windows Defender can be kept on and it adds a little extra protection.

Limited Periodic Scanning in Windows 10 to Provide Additional Malware Protection

Limited Periodic Scanning in Windows 10 to Provide Additional Malware Protection

 

I have Norton 360, so do I still need this Windows Defender to be on?

If you don't have a specific reason to remove defender, I think you should keep it. They are not same and they can complement each other.

--
Shirlee Deep
Oracle Certified Developer
http://www.java-forums.org

 

Have you checked how much of the space in ( E: ) is used? The recovery partition typically contains the factory image of the software that originally came on the PC (in your instance Windows 7). In the event of an OS failure it makes it possible to reinstall. Do you have separate System Recovery media? (DVDs or flash drive) If not be aware that if you delete the recovery partition the option to reinstall "7" will be gone.

 

I've got a Windows 7 disk if I need to go back, but I want to stay with Windows 10.
I'm worried that if I delete "E" will Windows 10 load up?

 

The recovery partition predates the Windows 10 installation and I know of no dependency between them, so if you delete E: it shouldn't impact "10" at all. That said you just might want to wait for a few additional comments before deleting it *Nerd

 

I've used Disk Management to delete the factory restore partition on a couple of Notebooks without harm, just means I can't return those to their as-shipped condition without having the discs I was prompted to make when first setting up the computers. One was a Win7 and the other was a Win8.1.

 

Well I made an image of "C" and "E" using Acronis, just in case, then I deleted the files in "E"
Windows 10 started up OK!!!
But how do I delete the "E" partition???
Windows wont let me format it???

 

First, I notice that your E: drive partition is marked as Active. That means it probably has the boot files on it. Have you enabled the option in Windows explorer to view system protected hidden files and looked at E: drive again? If so, I'll bet you see the boot files remaining on it. Delete E: partition now and more than likely your computer will not boot.

In order to delete it, you would use MiniTool Partition Wizard Free. Delete the partition and then expand the C: drive system partition into the remaining free space. But, again, without establishing the boot files on C: drive and making the C: drive partition the active partition, deleting the E: drive partition will likely result in no boot files.

 

Yep, looks like there are still 758 MB of content on E: and this is MBR structured disk.

 

What does that mean please?

 

There is a boot file in the "E" drive sources folder

 

OK thanks!
Looks like I'm stuck with the "E" drive

 

Have you went into Options in File Explorer, then went down the list and unchecked by the box for "Hide Protected System Hidden Files" (or something very similar?) Then you will see the additional hidden files on E drive.

 

1) You may have deleted files from E: but, assuming you took the Disk Management snapshot AFTER you deleted some files, it shows in the table that you still have 758 MB of data on it and this supports NavyLCDR's assertion that removing it may result in a system that won't boot.

2) Seeing the size and number of partitions on that disk and how it's reported in Disk Management, I can tell that it is an MBR structured disk as opposed to a GPT structured disk. Being one or the other can impact your choices for change.